THE 2ND LG INTERNATIONAL

Stoke on Trent 5-6 April 2008 February

Frankie and Lynne represent GB at the UK's top international competition of the year

Two City of Bath gymnasts were selected for the second LG International, the showcase event of the year for British Rhythmic gymnastics held at Stoke on Trent on April 5/6 2008. Francesca Fox represented GB in the Senior category whilst Lynne Hutchison was selected to be in the team of four GB Juniors. Lynne’s selection followed two intensive control competitions and along with results from the LG International will decide the Junior European Squad to compete in Italy in June.

Lynne, although competing out of competition as only two girls scores were used for the team competition, performed with strength, consistency and dynamics across all four apparatus (rope, ball, hoop, ribbon). Lynne’s energetic and polished performance earned her four very credible scores giving her 12th place overall with a lead of 1.2 over 13th place Jo Matcham also GB. The rest of the team Jade Faulkner and Kezi Gore finished 7th and 9th respectively.

The Senior category was honoured to have the two top Bulgarian gymnasts competing, Simona Peycheva and Elizabeth Paiseava. Both gymnasts are 2004 Olympians and will again participate in the Beijing Olympics this year. Francesca Fox (Bath RGC) was invited to join the National RG Academy Training camp and trained alongside the Bulgarians for ten days prior to the tournament. Francesca’s highlight of the competition was a dramatic and expressive performance on hoop, earning her highest score of the day, 13.127. This was Francesca’s first international in her inaugural year as a senior and she finished a very creditable eight overall.

At the top level, the competition was dominated by the Bulgarian gymnasts demonstrating skill, precision and mastery in their seemingly effortless performances. Peycheva won the Senior category with Paiseava second, but GB’s Francesca Jones gained a well deserved third position. With the other Senior team member, Magalie Mackay making 9th, the British girls were rewarded for their strong improved performances with the silver team medal.

The Bulgarians also dominated the medal positions in the Junior category and in a strong field, all busy preparing for the upcoming European Championships, notable performances were given by the German and Belgian girls, and Slovakia, Slovenia, Canada and Israel were all represented by their teams. The weekend offered up a feast of gymnastics allowing an opportunity for international gymnasts to compete in Britain. The competition has increased in standard since last year and looks like it will go from strength to strength in the coming years towards London 2012.